CVE-2018-11961 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all android releases(Android for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, QRD Android) from CAF using the linux kernel, Possibility of accessing out of bound vector index When updating some GNSS configurations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2020
This vulnerability exists in Android-based systems utilizing the Linux kernel and represents a classic out-of-bounds memory access issue that can lead to system instability and potential exploitation. The flaw occurs during the process of updating GNSS configurations, where the system fails to properly validate array indices before accessing vector elements. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices. The affected platforms include various Android releases for MSM, Firefox OS for MSM, and QRD Android, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm-based mobile platforms that rely on Linux kernel implementations for GNSS functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the GNSS configuration update mechanism. When the system processes new GNSS parameters, it appears to use user-provided or configuration-derived indices without proper validation against the actual size of the underlying data structures. This allows an attacker to potentially supply malicious indices that reference memory locations outside the legitimate bounds of the vector or array. The Linux kernel's handling of GNSS subsystem configuration updates creates a pathway where malformed input can trigger memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because GNSS configuration updates are typically performed during system initialization or configuration changes, making it accessible during normal operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it creates potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to compromise mobile devices. An attacker could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious GNSS configuration data that triggers the out-of-bounds access, potentially leading to privilege escalation or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Android variants and Firefox OS implementations suggests that it affects a substantial portion of mobile devices that rely on Qualcomm's MSM platforms, particularly those with GPS and location services enabled. This creates a significant risk for applications and services that depend on GNSS functionality, as the exploitation could disrupt critical location-based services or provide attackers with unauthorized access to device resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the GNSS configuration update code paths. System administrators and device manufacturers should ensure that all array and vector accesses include proper validation against the maximum allowable indices, with defensive programming practices such as bounds checking before memory access operations. The implementation should follow secure coding guidelines that align with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation recommendations for memory corruption vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on preventing out-of-bounds accesses through input validation and proper memory management. Updates to the Linux kernel and Android framework components should be prioritized to address this vulnerability, with particular attention to the GNSS subsystem configuration handling code that processes external inputs. Additionally, runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and memory protection mechanisms should be enabled to reduce the exploitability of this and similar vulnerabilities.